A Beginner’s Guide: Beaune, France

We stayed just outside of Beaune, in a town called Levernois at Hostellerie de Levernois. This gorgeous old farm house has been converted into a luxury hotel with a Michelen Star restaurant and the most immaculate gardens.

Vineyards:

Now to the good stuff. I bet you’re thinking, just shut up and tell us what vineyards to go to right?

Well we hit 3 while we were there. My favourite being Chateau de Pommard. You arrive to the vineyard through the cutest little courtyard, decorated with ancient oak barrels and the like…

Even the surrounding grounds were picture perfect…

And the cellars are equally photo-worthy… we liked the wine so much, we bought a full case to bring home. Don’t have a cellar? Need not worry, the vineyard will store it in their perfectly climatised cellar until you’re set up. How’s that for service?

Next stop, was a vineyard stocking the delicious Aloxe Corton wines. The winery cellar door (Caves des Paulands) is a converted old church looking building with the most immaculate roof tiling… typical of the region…

We also visited Domaine Comte Senard however I must have been too keen on the wine to take any photos inside… you’ll have to settle for these vineyard shots…

Restaurants:

Now as you’ll know by now, I don’t usually visit towns that don’t have superb food options. And Beaune did not disappoint. It is simply bursting with great restaurants. Here is a pic of cute Beaune town…

Sadly, pre blogging days, I didn’t take very many photos of the restaurants but here is a few…

My hit list for you would be:

Le Goret: this restaurant is almost completely devoted to pork in its finest form. Rated No. 1 in Beaune and for good reason. And make sure you’re hungry as the portions are HUGE.

Ma Cuisine: the food is traditional Burgundian classics cooked to perfection with a wine list to die for – at affordable prices. What more could you want?

Le P’tit Paradis: traditional french cuisine where you can choose to have two-three or four courses from their small but creative menu. And you must opt for the cheese board at the end of the meal as they are always interesting cheeses from the region. The wine choice being in the heart of burgundy is, of course, nothing short of superb!!

Caves Madeline: although the menu is very limited, 4 entrees, 4 mains and a few desserts, there are definitely desirable options for all courses. The restauraunt sells wine by the glass, but also has a very nice cellar that you can get up and browse – a very alternative experience, being able to hold each bottle and look at the label.

Le Benaton: is a Michelan starred gastronomic restaurant. The food is creative yet firmly rooted in classical french cuisine. As with most fine restaurants in Beaune, the wine list is extensive. However please note, it is quite expensive.

And please make sure you book ahead, because restaurants in Beaune book out very quickly!

And when you go to Beaune, please go to Le Goret for me. It was sadly closed when we were there. I almost have a mind to hire a car just to go back!

Other activities:

Looking for more than just wine? I would suggest going to visit Chateau de la Rochepot, a 13th century castle, later converted into a chateau. The castle was built in the 13th century on an outcrop of limestone and as with many castles, fell into ruin and was only restored in the 19th century.

They do a great tour (in both English & French) which explains the history and little secrets of the chateau in it’s hey day.

So… in summary, if you like wine, and if you read my blog, I know that you do, definitely put Beaune on your list of places to go when en France!